THE ALABAMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
IVIONXGOMKRY 

Reprint No. 16 



The French Grant 
in Alabama 

A HISTORY OF THE FOUNDING OF 
DEMOPOLIS 

BY 
GAIUS WHITFIELD, Jr. 



[From the TRANSACTIONS 1899-1903, Vol. IV] 



MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 
1904 



IX. THE FRENCH GRANT IN ALABAMA, A HISTORY 
OF THE FOUNDING OF DEMOPOLIS. 

By Gaius Whitfield, Jr., Demopolis, Ala. 

There is no more romantic or interesting chapter in Alabama 
history than the one which tells the story of the early French 
colony in Marengo county. It has long proven an attractive 
field for Southern writers and a number of excellent papers^ have 
been written, each describing some particular phase of the subject. 
Yet, perhaps, there may still be room for another account which 
aims to cover the entire movement in a connected way and supply 
as far as possible the contemporary authorities upon which our 
knowledge must finally rest. 

When the star of Napoleon's glory had gone down at Water- 
loo, never to rise again, and the famous leader had been exiled to 
the desolate Isle of St. Helena, his loyal followers were com- 
pelled by the Bourbons to suffer many kinds of punishment for 
having served him whom the powers called the Usurper. Some 
were sentenced to death, some expelled from France and their 
property confiscated, some were imprisoned and were given no 
opportunity of defending themselves when they were at last 
brought to trial, and others were obliged to sell their property 
and take up their abode in foreign lands. - 

Special ordinances were directed against them by Louis XVIII, 
partly perhaps from a desire for vengeance, partly also from the 
fear that their continued presence and persistent devotion to their 
exiled leader might assist, or even give rise to, future revolutions. 
The most important of these proclamations were the two foUow- 



^ Among these special attention is called to the chapter in Pickett's 
History of Alabama entitled "Modern French Colony in Alabama," to 
Prof. Thomas Chalmers McCorvey's article on "The Vine and Olive 
Colony," in the Alabama Historical Reporter, Tuscaloosa, April, 1885, to 
Anne Bozeman Lyon's article on "The Bonapartists in Alabama," in the 
Southern Home Journal, Memphis. March, 1900 (since reprinted in the 
Gulf States Historical Magazine, Montgomery, March, 1903) and to a 
series of articles on the subject in the Demopolis Express by Prof. J. W. 
Beeson. 

° Bourrienne's Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte, vol. iii, pp. .317-318. 

(321) 



322 Alabama Historical Society. 

The first of these was issued by the king to the French people,^ 
and was as follows : 

"I wish to exclude from my presence none but those whose 
celebrity is a matter of grief to France and of horror to Europe, 
In the plot which they hatched I perceive many of my subjects 
misled and some guilty. 

"I owe it, then, to the dignity of my crown, to the interests of 
my people, to the repose of Europe, to except from pardon the in- 
stigators of this horrible plot. They shall be designated to the 
vengeance of the laws by the two chambers which I propose forth- 
with to assemble. 

"Given at Cambrai this 28 of June, in the year of our Lord 
181 5 and of our reign the 21st, 

Louis." 

• The second was a decree issued by Louis XVIII on the 26th of 
July, 1815,* and'^ "singles out for example the following general 
officers, accused of treason against the king before the 23rd of 
March, etc., Ney, Labedoyere, the two brothers L'AUemand, 
Drouet d'Erlon, Lefebvre-Desnouettes, Ameith, Breyer, Gilly, 
Monton, Duvernet, Grouchy, Clausel, Laborde, Debelle, Bertrand, 
Drouot, Cambronne, Lavelette, Rovigo. 

"2. The individuals whose names follow, viz: Soult, Alex, 
Excelmans, Bassano, Marbot, Felix Lepelletier, Boulay de la 
Meurthe, Mehec, Fressinet, Thibaudeau, Carnot, Vondamme, 
Lamarque, (general), Lobavi, Harel, Pire, Barrere, Arnault, 
Pommereuil, Regnault de St. Jean d'Angely, Arrighi (de 
Padoue), Dejean son, Garrau. Real, Bouvicr, Dumalard, Dirat, 
Defermont, Merlin de Donai, Durbach. Bory, Soint Vencent Fe- 
lix Desportes, Garnier de Saintes, Millinet. Hullin, Cluys, Courtin, 
Forbin Jauson eldest son, Le Lorgne Didevelle, shall depart with- 
in three days from the city of Paris, and retire into the interior 
of France, to such places as our ministers of the general police 
shall point out for them, where they shall remain under sur- 
veillance, until the chambers shall decide on their case whether 
they ought to leave the kingdom, or be delivered up for the prose- 
cution of the tribunals." 

Nevertheless, Louis and his ministry thought it would be more 
advantageous to the interests of the Bourbons if they should ex- 
tenuate the fault of the offenders. In order to obviate the result 

' Niles' Weekly Register, vol. viii. 

* Ibid, vol. ix. 

^ An interesting account of the decree, and indeed of the entire situation 
in France at that time is given in the Memoirs of Talleyrand, vol. iii. p. 170, 
et seq. 



p> 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 323 

of a trial the king and his ministers tried to provide the Bonapart- 
ists with money for their escape. Even though the arrests were 
delayed and passports given to the accused, they were arrested 
while attempting to leave France. But many of them, with cour- 
age worthy of their leader, refused to leave the country for which 
they had undergone so many hardships and braved the perils of 
numerous battlefields, as their departure would be a tacit admis- 
sion of their guilt.'' 

•^ After long debates in the chambers, the following law of am- 
nesty was passed and sanctioned by the royal assent on January 
12, 1816:' 

"Art. I. A full and an entire amnesty is accorded to all those 
who directly or indirectly took part in the rebellion and usurpa- 
tion of Napoleon Bonaparte, saving those hereinafter named. 

"2. The ordinance of the 26th of July will continue to be ex- 
ecuted with respect to the individuals named in the first article of 
that ordinance. 

"3. The king can in the space of two months from the pro- 
mulgation of the present law, exile from France such of the indi- 
viduals comprised in the 2nd article of the said ordinance as he 
shall keep on it, and as shall not have been previously brought 
before the Tribunals; and in that case such parties shall quit 
France within the time fixed for them, and shall not return with- 
out the express permission of his majesty, under pain of trans- 
portation. 

"The king may in like manner, deprive them of all property and 
all pensions granted to them on grounds of favor. 

"4. The relations of Napoleon Bonaparte in ascending and de- 
scending line — his uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces; his brothers 
and their wives and their issue ; his sisters and their husbands are 
excluded forever from the kingdom. All are bound to depart 
therefrom in the space of one month, under the penalties specified 
in the 91 article of the Penal Code. They cannot enjoy any civil 
right in France, or possess any property whatsoever, any title or 
pension granted to them of favor ; and they shall be bound to sell, 
within six months, all the property that they hold in France by 
purchase. 

"5. The present amnesty is not applicable to those persons 
against whom prosecution has been directed, or against whom 
judgments have been pronounced, prior to the promulgation of 
the present law ; such prosecution shall be continued, and such 
judgments executed conformably to the laws. 

" Miss Lyon's "Bonapartists in Alabama." 
^Annual Register, vol. Iviii. 



324 Alabama Historical Society. 

"6. Are not comprised in the present amnesty crimes or of- 
fences against individuals, at whatever period they may have been 
committed. The persons charged with such crimes may be al- 
ways prosecuted according to the laws. 

"7. Those of the regicides who in contempt of a clemency al- 
most boundless voted for the Additional Act. or accepted offices 
or employments from the Usurper, and who by so doing declared 
themselves irreconcilable enemies of France, and of the lawful 
government, are forever excluded the realm and are bound to quit 
it in the space of one month, under pain of the punishment enacted 
by the 33rd article of the Penal Coc'e. They cannot possess any 
civil right in France, nor any property, title or pension granted to 
them of favor." 

At the end of 181 6 and the beginning of 181 7, the imperialists, 
after the trial and execution of Labedoyere and finally of Ney, 
began to understand the true light in which they were held by the 
Bourbons. A number of these Bonapartists, broken in spirit and 
persecuted by Bourbon hatred, sought America,^ where they hoped 
to find rest from the trying ordeals through which they had pass- 
ed. It is true their king had shown much nobility towards them, 
but he might change and they were never certain of the implacable 
Fouche. After having arrived in America they determined to 
leave the cities, for the}^ feared that persecution would follow 
them even there. They decided to form a colony'' in the wilds of 

* The number coming to America was so great as to start some very wild 
statements in Paris. See the following extract from Nilcs' Register, Sept. 
6, 1817: 

"It is said in the Paris papers that the French emigrants that have 
reached the United States 'do not amount to a less number than 30,000.' 
People do not think what thirty thousand is. I have a right to know 
something of this matter; and venture an opinion that three thousand 
have not arrived here, in .ships and vessels, since the first return of Louis; 
nor do I believe that any have crossed the ocean in balloons. Vessels 
from France very seldom have more than 10 to 20 passengers. I am 
certain that they have not averaged 20: this would give us fifteen hundred 
vessels from France in the period stated." 

'The spirit that animated them is well shown by the following extracts 
from the tri-weekly National Intelligencer, of Sept. 4, 1817: 

"Never was a project set on foot under better auspices, or entered into, 
as we learn, with more ardor and a fuller determination to make a fair 
experiment to show what Frenchmen can do. 'I am astonished,' said a 
Caf>italist of Philadelphia to Generals Clause! and Dcsnouettes, 'that such 
men as you who have money at command, should undertake such a Don 
Quixote expedition, when, by taking your stand in the Exchange, you 
would get 20 per cent, for your money without trouble.' 'We have been 
accustomed,' replied General Clause), 'to labour for the glory and happi- 
ness of our country, not to prey upon their or other people's necessities.' — ■ 
A reply which marks a noble mind." 



French Grant in Alabama. — WhitUeld. 325 

the West, for they thought it would be a refuge, where they would 
be able to gather together the forces of body and soul, and begin 
life again on a new basis free from the cares and dangers of a 
broken empire.^" 

A number of these exiles formed an association in Philadelphia, 
with George N. Stewart, then a youth of eighteen, as its secretary, 
to establish a colony somewhere in the West. Therefore they 
sent out their exploring commissioners, Jean A. Penniers and 
Bazile Meslier, to select a suitable situation for a colony. They 
made their observations on the soil, productions, etc., of the coun- 
try lying between the 32d and 36th degrees of latitude, on the west 
bank of the Mississippi river, but found no place which they 
thought suitable for a modern French colony. During the ab- 
sence of Penniers and Meslier, the association dispatched Colonel 
Nicholas Parmentier,^^ one of their number, to Washington for 
the purpose of petitioning congress to grant them a tract of land 
upon which to form a settlement. While Colonel Parmentier was 
at the capital, the emigrants came to the conclusion that the far 
West was by no means what their fancy had pictured it. They 
were easily persuaded by Dr. Brown, of Kentucky, who had trav- 
eled some in France, to settle near the confluence of the Black 
Warrior and Tombigbee rivers, in what was then the Mississippi 
Territory. He took great interest in their welfare and thought 
they would find the climate and soil of the South very similar to 
that of their own country. He believed that with little difficulty 
they would be able to convert the wild fertile lands into a perfect 
vineyard. They would find in this region, which had once ac- 
knowledged the supremacy of France, many kindred people ; for 
Mobile contained many whose hearts were filled with sympathy, 
admiration and love for their emperor. Louisiana was only a 
short distance from Mobile, and it was upon this French country 
that they based their hopes for help in the furtherance of their 
plans to restore the great Napoleon to his empire. When they 
learned these things, there was no doubt in their minds that Ala- 
bama was the country in which they ought to settle, and where 
the oppressor's hand could not reach them,^^ After they decided 



'" Miss Lyon's "Bonapartists in Alabama." 
"Pickett's History of Alabama. 
''Ibid. 



326 Alabama Historical Society. 

to settle in the region traversed by the Tombigbee and Black 
Warrior rivers, congress granted them a tract of land by the fol- 
lowing act, approved March 3, 1817:^^ 

"An act to set apart and dispose of certain public lands, for 
the encouragement of the cultivation of the vine and olive. 

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That it shall 
be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury, under the direction 
of the President of the United States, to designate, and set apart, 
any four contiguous townships, each six miles square, of vacant 
public lands lying in that part of the Mississippi Territory which 
was formed into a land district, by the act, entitled 'An act for the 
ascertaining and surveying of the boundary line fixed by the 
treaty with the Creek Indians, and for other purposes,' passed on 
the third day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifteen ; 
and the four townships, so designated and set apart, shall be re- 
served from public and private sale, anything in the aforesaid act 
to the contrary notwithstanding. 

"Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That the Secretary of the 
Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized to contract for the sale 
of the said four townships, which shall have been designated and 
set apart, as aforesaid, at the rate of two dollars per acre, to be 
made payable fourteen years after the contract shall have been 
concluded with any agent, or agents, of the late emigrants from 
France, who have associated together for the purpose of forming 
a settlement in the United States ; Provided, That satisfactory 
evidence shall be produced that such agent, or agents, are duly 
authorized to form such contract, and that the number of such 
emigrants, being of full age, for which he or they are authorized 
to act, are equal at least to the number of half sections contained 
in the four townships proposed to be disposed of. 

"Sec. 3. And be it further enacted. That the said Secretary shall 
have power to make such allotment of the lands among the in- 
dividuals, and to stipulate, in the proposed contract, for such con- 
ditions of settlement and cultivation of the vine, and other vege- 
table productions, as may to him appear reasonable ; and that on 
the fulfillment of such conditions shall the issuing of grants, 
for the lands, be made to depend : Provided, That no patent shall 
be granted for any of the lands aforesaid, nor shall any title be 
obtained therefor, either at law or equity, until complete pay- 
ment shall have been made for the whole four townships, and un- 
til they comply with the conditions of the contract, so to be made 
as aforesaid ; nor shall a patent be granted for a greater quantity 
than six hundred and forty acres to any one person." 

" U. S. Statutes at Large, vol. iii, p. 374. 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 327 

Having obtained the grant of land. Colonel Parmentier and 
others of the emigrants sailed from Philadelphia for Mobile with 
some of the French gentlemen and their families in the schooner 
McDonough, which had been procured for the purpose. In a 
letter to a friend in Philadelphia, Colonel Parmentier wrote thus 
concerning an accident that occurred while on board :^* 

Mobile; Bay, May 26, i8iy. 

"After a passage of 21 days from the capes of Delaware we 
have arrived within sight of these shores, which not a soul on 
board had ever seen before ; we had, however, a very narrow es- 
cape at the moment when about to gain this real land of promise ; 
we were gliding gently along under favor of a pleasant breeze, 
lead in hand, when suddenly from nine fathoms we made only 
two fathoms, or twelve feet, and before we could haul off, ground- 
ed. You may conceive the feelings of our associates under all 
our circumstances. However, we were fortunate in possessing 
in Captain John McCloud, a mind experienced, collected and in- 
trepid ; his activity, presence of mind and excellent temper were 
not disturbed by the indiscreet conduct of some on board, whose 
imprudence and want of self-possession might have been fatal 
with a man of less manly and less resolute disposition ; he may 
be fairly said to have saved every person on board by his firm- 
ness and discretion. By his good disposition we were enabled to 
obtain succor from Fort Boyer ; a boat from which set off under 
its intrepid and generous commanding officer, Lt. R. Beal, of the 
artillery, and Captain Bourke, formerly of the army, who hap- 
pened to be at the fort. These two gallant men, with four pri- 
vates, put oft' on discovering our situation and succeeded in carry- 
ing our passengers on shore, after great and persevering fatigue ; 
it is by men like these, whose profession inures them to dangers 
and privations unknown in common life, that the greatest acts 
of generosity are usually displayed ; not content with rescuing us 
from danger of wreck, they conducted us into the fort, and with 
an affection the most unaffected taught us to forget the dangers 
we had escaped, and to bless the circumstances which enabled us 
to enjoy their generosity, hospitality and kindness; there was 
nothing which the country could afford which we were not pro- 
vided with, and they have left on our hearts impressions of grati- 
tude which time cannot efface. 

''Our vessel being lightened, and having suffered no injury, 
moved into the channel, and having procured the requisite infor- 
mation to proceed to our destination, the same kindness which had 
flown to our relief, contributed to our comfort and gratification 
and conducted us on board, and, accompanied by such a variety of 

'^* National Intelligencer, July 17, 1817. 



328 Alabama Historical Society. 

refreshments, and acts of goodness exercised towards individuals 
whom they had never seen before, but whose fortunes and destiny- 
appears to have found in their generous hearts a noble sympathy ; 
they furnished us with letters of introduction to their friends. It 
is impossible to communicate the sense we entertain of the kind- 
ness we have experienced — to-morrow we ascend the river Mo- 
bile, from whence you shall hear from me again. 

"The country on the margin of the sea presents a scene of the 
highest luxuriance. The foliage brighter than your more north- 
ern climate ; the bay is a young sea, and appears to be unbounded ; 
but it is too soon to give you any ideas of a distinct landscape, to 
speak of a soil that we have scarcely touched, and that towards 
which we are approaching too remote yet to be seen." 

The following extracts of a letter from Colonel Parmentier, 
dated White Bluff, July 14th, 1817, to a friend in Washington, 
tell of their treatment while in Mobile and of their trip up the 
Tombigbee river to the White Bluft*.^' 

"We reached Mobile^*' on the 25th ult., and found that our 
arrival was expected. The officers of the government, those who 
would be benefited by the increase of inhabitants and the aug- 
mentation of the price of produce, those who were friendly to 
the prosperity of the country, and, indeed, all who were not actu- 
ated by a jealousy as short-sighted as pitiable, were favorably dis- 
posed towards our settlement. Mr. Gibson, a public agent, and 
a man of liberal education, Mr. John Toulmin, brother of Judge 
Toulmin, and Mr. Lewis, the collector of the port, distinguished 
for their merit and affability, treated us with the greatest possible 
attention and introduced us to the first houses of Mobile, from 
whom we obtained very particular information of the country we 
were about to traverse. Mr. Lewis offered us the use of the rev- 
enue cutter, which we accepted, so that our first excursion up the 
country was made under the United States flag." 

When the revenue cutter started on its way up the river, it left 
the wharf crowded with many friends whom the exiles had made 

^^ National Intelligencer, August 30, 1817. 

'" A short description of Mobile taken from the same letter may interest 
the reader. 

"Until lately there was no quay at Mobile to moor vessels to. One is 
now constructing, which is to be built out far enough to have nine feet 
of water at its eastern extremity at low tide. It will when completed be 
very long. The city is situated on a sandy beach perfectly level. The 
streets are from 60 to 100 feet wide. The houses are almost all of wood, 
one story high, with some few of two stories. They are raised from two 
to four feet above the ground on piles of large dimensions. There are 
from 80 to 100 houses, and they continue to build very fast. The population 
is estimated at from 1000 to 1500, of every description." 



French Grant in Alabama. — IVhitfield. 329 

during their brief stay in Mobile. They departed on a bright clear 
summer morning which presented a marked contrast to the day 
that they entered the harbor. They entered the port friendless 
and distressed, now they continued their voyage joyously with 
many friends to pray for their safe passage up the river. Adieus 
were waved from the wharf as the cutter set out, and were an- 
swered by cheers from the enthusiastic exiles. 

"I arrived at Fort Stoddard on Sunday the 31st of May. Judge 
Toulmin had sent horses to convey me to his residence, distant one 
and a half miles from the river. This highly respectable magis- 
trate treated me with the greatest possible kindness, and ex- 
pressed the interest he felt in our settlement. He accompanied 
me to Fort Montgomery, and introduced me to his son-in-law 
(Gen. Gaines), who received me in a manner suitable to our 
recommendations and his well established character. All the 
topographical documents in his possession were at my disposal, 
and he instructed those of his officers, who had been employed in 
reconnoitering the country, to give me the most circumstantial de- 
tails as to the courses of the navigable rivers, the nature of the 
soil on their banks, the hills which rise above them, the ways 
which have been opened on these hills, and the character of the in- 
habitants who are already established here and there over this im- 
mense surface. 

"On Tuesday I arrived at St. Stephens, ^^ and on delivering my 
letters of recommendation, I met with the greatest possible at- 
tention. Mr. McGoffin, of the land office, placed at my disposal 
all the plans and reports of the surveyors : which most singularly 
corroborated the information I had previously obtained, although 
by induction, the surveys extended as yet only to the 32d degree 
of latitude, which is the northern of the lands for sale on the ist 

" There is an interesting description of St. Stephens in Parmentier's let- 
ter of July 14, and an article in the National Intelligencer of September 
9, 1817. 

"The town of St. Stephens, at the head of ship navigation on the Tom- 
bigbee, is advancing with a rapidity beyond that of any place, perhaps, in 
the Western country. It is built on very uneven ground, and much time 
and expense will be necessary to level it. It is situated half a mile from 
the river, and has an area laid out containing 1320 acres. The lots are 
45 feet wide and 90 feet deep. They sold on the first settlement of the 
town at 200 dollars each. The present proprietors continue to sell at the 
same price, excepting certain situations, for which it is said 2,000 dollars 
might be procured if they were for sale. There are already fifty houses, 
twenty of which are stores. New buildings are erected every day, and 
there is a want of workmen to build them. A hod-man gets two dollars 
per day wages. An academy has been erected on the most elevated part 
of the town, it is directed by professors of acknowledged merit, and has 
already eighty scholars, several of whom are from New Orleans. The 
annual amount of merchandise brought and vended at this place, is not 
less than 500,000 dollars and is still increasing." 
22 



330 Alabama Historical Society. 

of July. I acquired much information from Colonels Dale, 
Fisher, Dinsmore, Watson, and Mr. Malone, etc.'" 

At St. Stephens they discharged the revenue cutter and procur- 
ed a barge for the remainder of the trip. 

After some time the exiles reached the \Miite Blufif, where some 
of the party landed while the rest pushed high up the river to 
"old Fort Tombeckbee." There they consulted with George 
Strother Gaines, who was at that time United States Choctaw 
Factor, upon a favorable place for locating, and he suggested that 
they settle at the White Blufif. While they were at the fort, Jean 
A. Pennier and Bazile Meslier, their exploring commissioners, 
whom they had sent out to seek a location for their colony, joined 
them and agreed with the suggestion of Mr. Gaines ; whereupon 
it was decided to settle at the chalky cliff upon which now stands 
the town of Demopolis. These two gentlemen were then sent 
back to Philadelphia with letters to the association, which con- 
vinced them that this was the country in which to make a settle- 
ment.^^ In a letter to a friend Colonel Parmentier wrote thus : 

"We have explored the country situated on the east side of the 
Tombigby, above the line called the Choctaw boundary, and we 
have resolved to fix ourselves on the spot known by the name of 
the White Bluff, about three-fourths of a mile below the junction 
of the Black Warrior and Tombigby rivers, as part of our grant. 
It remains to say in what shape the four townships are to be laid 
out, and this we will do as soon as the meridian line shall be con- 
tinued twelve miles above the White Bluff, and the lines of demar- 
cation shall be marked as far as the said Bluff. The season is al- 
ready advanced, and no resource would be left to a number of 
individuals during the ensuing winter if the benevolent intentions 
of the government towards us are not administered with some 
celerity. White Bluff is one of the finest situations I ever saw in 
m- life, and the lands lying around it are of the very finest 
auality. Nature here offers us everything. If we know how to 
profit by these advantages we must be happy." 

The county in which they settled was given the name Marengo, 
at the suggestion of Judge Lipscomb, while a member of the 
legislature at St. Stephens, in commemoration of the great battle 
which the imperial army won over the Austrian general, Melas. 

The emigrants chose lots and erected cabins and made such 
other improvements as were possible in this wilderness. In the 



" Pickett's History of Alabama. 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 331 

course of a few months quite a number of emigrants had arrived 
in boats by way of Mobile.^'' They laid out a town on the White 
Bluff, which they called Demopolis — the city of the people — at 
the suggestion of Count Pierre Francois Real, one of the Philadel- 
phia incorporators, who never came to Alabama. 

In the meantime the land had been surveyed and Charles Villar, 
agent of the association, had contracted with Hon. William H. 
Crawford, secretary of the treasury, for township 18, range 3, 
east, and townships 18, 19 and 20, range 4, east, in the Mississippi 
.Territory, for which the association agreed to pay one hundred 
and eighty-four thousand three hundred and twenty dollars 
on or before January 8, 1833. The contract contained the fol- 
lowing conditions and stipulations :"" 

"I. That, before the expiration of three years from the date of 
this contract, there shall be made upon each tract in the afore- 
said four townships allotted to the respective associates a settle- 
ment by themselves individually, or by others on their account. 

"2. That, before the expiration of fourteen years from the date 
hereof, there shall be cleared and cultivated within the said four 
townships at least ten acres of land for each quarter section, taken 
aggregately. 

"3. That, before the expiration of seven years from the date 
hereof, there shall be cultivated within the said four townships 
at least one acre to each quarter section, taken aggregately, in 
vines. 

, "4. That, before the expiration of seven years from the date 
hereof, there shall be planted within the said four townships not 
less than five hundred olive trees, unless it shall be previously 
established to the satisfaction of the President that the olive can 
not be successfully cultivated thereon. 

"5. That a report shall be made annually to the Secretary of 
the Treasury by the agent of the said association, or his succes- 
sor, showing the number of settlements made within the said 
four townships in each year ; the progress made in cultivating the 
vine and olive, and the degree of success with which the same is 
attended ; and describing the number and kind of such plants 
which have been cultivated ; and also the said, agent, or his suc- 
cessor, shall, from time to time, furnish to ihe Secretary of the 

" It seems that some also came by way of the Ohio if we may credit 
the following extract from Niles' Register, Sept. 6, 1817 : 

"The French Emigrants. — By a respectable Indian agent, now at the 
seat of government we learn, that in coming up the Ohio, he met upwards 
of a hundred Frenchmen, at different times, directing their course towards 
the new settlement on the Tombigbee." 

'*American State Papers, vol. v. 



33^ Alabama Historical Society. 

Treasury such other information touching the condition and state 
of the association as he may require. 

"6. That the list of the associates deposited in the treasury 
aforesaid be recognized, and the persons thereon inscribed con- 
firmed in the allotments of land annexed to their names respec- 
tively, with the exceptions following, viz : Martin Pignet Joseph, 
Wiles and Leclerc, V. M. Garesche, Jacques Brand and John Ros- 
ter, Jean Thomas Carre, Laurent Faures, Englebert, Samuel Jack- 
son, Joseph Robard. Pierce Freres, Jean Baptiste Neel, William 
Tablee, Bellington, George Gaines, S. Voohees, Guillaume Mon- 
telius, Kimbal, shall be erased therefrom, and Jacques Moncravie, 
R. A. Terrier, Charles Brugiere, Joseph Ducommun, Madame 
George, Pierre Garesche, J. Bonno, Pierre Drouet, Emely and 
Conde, be inserted thereon, and be entitled, in the order in which 
they stand herein, to the allotment of the persons thus erased ; and 
the allotments annexed to the names of the others of the persons 
thus erased shall be assigned to the other late emigrants, under 
such regulations as are hereinafter prescribed. 

"7. That such emigrants as are inscribed on the said list, who 
had previously to knowing of the allotments assigned to them 
respectively, settled and improved land within the said four town- 
ships, either in those sections set apart for the small allotments, or 
in others, and before the first day of August last past, shall be 
entitled to hold the same, to the extent, and in lieu of the quantity, 
in the large or small allotment, as the case may be, unless the par- 
ty to whom such lands were actually allotted shall, within six 
months from the date hereof, tender to such settler the value of 
the improvements which he may have made thereon, to be ascer- 
tained by two respectable persons under oath ; and, on failure to 
make such tender, the party to whom such land was allotted shall 
be entitled to the land allotted to such emigrant as the aforesaid 
to the extent of the allotment so occupied and improved ; or, if 
the same be insufficient, he shall be further indemnified by the 
assignment of so much land as will make up the quantity, out of 
any land not otherwise appropriated. 

"8. That the land exempted from appropriation by the fore- 
going provisions may be appropriated to other emigrants from 
France — not already provided for, and whose names shall be pre- 
sented to the Secretary of the Treasury for his approbation by 
the agent of the association, or his successor ; but actual settle- 
ment shall in all cases be an indispensable condition.'' 

The following is "a list of the names of the persons who en- 
tered into contract with the Treasury Department for the culture 
of the vine and olive, and of the tracts of land allotted to each."-^ 



American State Papers, vol. iv. 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 333 

Nos. or Quantity 

Nos. oi Marks of of I,and 

Sections the Land Names to Kach 

t I Meslier, Bazile, 480 

2 Lauret, Louis, 160 

2 3 Conte, Honore, 120 

4 Reudet, Corneille Cadet, 120 

5 Vial, Antoine, 120 

6 Bujey, Antoine, 120 

7 Godemar, Jean Baptiste, 120 

Reserve A. Colomel, 40 

3 8 Jeannet, Louis Rene, 320 

9 Ve, Julie Pastol, 320 

4 10 Allard, Henry, 120 

1 1 Combes, Germain, 120 

12 Combes, Vincent, 120 

13 Sibenthal, freres, 240 

Reserve B. Latapie, 40 

5 14 Derdrauville, Rene, 240 

16 Alma, Anselme 120 

16 Salmon, Francois 120 

17 Lintroy, 120 

Reserve C. Payen, freres, 40 

6 18 Shults, Colonel Jean, 320 

19 Comb. Colonel Micheal 320 

7 20 Martin Francis. 480 

21 Pelagot. Antoine Zacharie 160 

8 22 George, Edward 480 

23 Voile, 160 

9 24 Lacombe, Pierre, 480 

25 Lalapie. Antoine, 160 

10 26 Richard, Etienne, 160 

27 Papillot, Etienne, 160 

11 28 Frenage. Jean Pierre, 480 

29 Rivet, George, 160 

12 30 Boutiere, J. Claude Benoit, 240 

31 Ve. Louis David 120 

32 Delaposte, Louis 120 

2Z Meynie, Jean Ulysse, 120 

Reserve D. Barthelemine, 40 

13 34 Metais, Et. J. B 240 

35 Mansuis, Luiller, 120 

36 Jouny, Louis Michel, 120 

T,7 Vernhes, Jean Vincent, 120 

Reserve E- Bestos, 40 

14 38 Marchaud, Louis Pre. Th 480 

39 Martin. Amedee 160 

15 40 Butland, Isaac, 240 

41 Keller, Jonas, 240 

42 Menou, Dieu Donne, 120 

Reserve F. Fouquet, J. and Moulin, 40 

16 43 Jordan, Colonel Ambroise, 320 

44 Vorster. Colonel Emile 320 

17 45 Cadet, Bergache, 240 

46 Gallard, Pierre 240 

47 Lefeuvre. Claude Joseph 140 

Reserve G. ( Not appropriated) , 40 

18 48 Paguenaud, Edward, 240 

49 Transon, Jean, 240 

50 Gaunay, Nicolas, 120 



334 



Alabama Historical Society. 







Nos. or 


Nos 


.of 


Marks of 


Sections 


the Land 




Reserve H. 


19 




51 

52 


20 




53 
54 

55 


21 




56 

57 




Res 


ierve I. 


22 




58 
59 


23 




60 
61 


24 




62 

63 
64 




Reserve J. 


25 




65 
66 

67 




Res 


erve K. 


26 




68 

69 
70 


27 




71 
72 


28 




73 

74 


29 




75 
76 


30 




77 
78 


31 




79 
80 


32 




81 
82 




Reserve L- 


33 




83 
85 


34 




86 

87 
88 


35 




89 
90 


36 




91 
92 


37 




93 
94 


3« 




95 
96 

97 



Quantity 
of I,»nd 
Names to Each 

Glenville, 40 

Astolphi, Laurent, 480 

Knappe, Phillippe, 160 

Grouche, Colonel Alphonse, 320 

Grouchey, Captain Victor, 160 

Pillero, 160 

Drouet, Pierre, 480 

Bailley, Michel 120 

Dupui and Ragon, 40 

Lemaignen, Pierre Paul, 480 

Lerouyer, Francois, 160 

Gavesche, Pierre, 480 

Formento, Felix, 160 

Gavesche, Pierre, 240 

Burkle, Emanuel, 120 

Coquillon, freres, 240 

Parat, R 40 

Drouet, Pierre, 240 

Baizeau, 60 

Fagot 60 

Delpit, 60 

Lapeyre, 60 

Boutierre, Francois Gaspard, 120 

Miot, 40 

Robin, Thomas, 240 

Nartique, J. Justin, 240 

Gerard, Hyacinth, 160 

Follin, Auguste Firmin, 480 

Follin, freres, 160 

Chapron, J. M., 480 

Wiell, James 160 

Dupouy, Nicholas Alex'r. 480 

Manoury, P. Max, 160 

Madame, George, 480 

Tournel, Jacques, 160 

Martin, Picquet, L. I. F., 480 

Moucravie, Jacques, 160 

Emely, 480 

Martin, Picquet, pere, 120 

Mangon and Martial, 40 

Aieze, freres, 240 

Brugiere, Charles, 240 

Barrau, 160 

Lecampion, Francois, 240 

Brechemin, Lewis, 240 

Humbert, Jacques Estienne, 160 

Jamet, 480 

Rigau, Narcisse Pericles, 160 

Promis, Gillaume, 480 

Desmares 160 

Durand, Jean Baptiste, 480 

Robaglia, Joseph, 160 

Garnier, fils, 240 

Peniere, fils, Emile 240 

Ve, Audibert, 120 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 



535 







Nos. or 


Nos. 


of 


Marks oi 


Sections 


the Laud 




Reserve M. 


39 




98 
99 




Re: 


serve N. 


40 




100 

lOI 


41 




102 
103 


42 




104 
105 


43 




106 
107 


44 




108 
109 


45 




no 
III 


46 




112 
113 


47 




114 

115 




Reserve 0. 


48 




116 
117 




Reserve P. 


49 




118 
119 
120 


50 




121 
122 


SI 




123 
124 


52 




125 
126 


S3 




127 
128 
129 




Reserve Q. 


54 




130 
131 


55 




132 
133 


56 




134 
135 


57 




136 

137 


S8 




138 
139 
140 


59 




141 
142 


60 




143 

144 




Reserve R. 


61 




145 




146 


and 147 
148 



Quantity 
of Land 
Names to Kach 

Mignon, 40 

Nidelet, E. P., 480 

Cousin, David, 120 

Doudel, 40 

Galabert, Colonel Louis, 320 

Petitval, 320 

Anduze, Mathew Bernard, 480 

Frederick, Louis Auguste, 160 

Gubert, J. H., 480 

Moynier, Jos. Ariste Theo 160 

Colonel Douarche, 320 

Grouchet, Louis, 320 

Villar, Charles, 480 

Pagniere, J. Alexander, 166 

Dirat, Louis M., 480 

Mondin, 160 

Pagaud, Pierre, 480 

Fallot, Eugene Hyacinthe, 160 

Frenage, Marce Antoine, 480 

Laurent, Clement, 120 

Dalaunay, 4° 

Vondame Gl, 480 

Angeli, Hiacinthe, 120 

Foquet, aine, 40 

Poculo, Benoit, 320 

Baltar, 160 

Moquart, 160 

Besson, Louis An, 480 

Lemeunier, J. Joseph, 160 

Mesnier, 240 

(Not appropriated), 240 

Henry, Germain, 160 

Colonel Rigau, 480 

Mariano, Pompee, 160 

Texier, Lepomerave, 320 

Harraneder, Charles, 160 

Mataye, Jean Pierre, 120 

Penard and Amedee, 40 

Martin, J. Du Colombier, 480 

Campardon, Bte, 160 

Ravesies, F., 480 

Bordas, EHe, 160 

Debrosse, Charles, 480 

Merle, Etienne 160 

Lauderelle, M. F. Aug., 480 

Canobio, Francois, 160 

Davis, L. A., 240 

Charles, Fermin B., 240 

Montalegri, Hiacinthe, 160 

Duval, Jacques S., 48Q 

Bade, Alexis, fils, aine 160 

Lakanal, 480 

Desportes, Leonte, 120 

C. Desafoe, 40 

Tulane, freres, 240 

Antoine 240 

Boitau, Francois, 120 



336 



Alabama Historical Society. 







Nos. or 


Nos 


;. of 


Marks of 


Sections 


the Land 




Reserve S. 


62 




149 

150 


63 




151 
152 
153 


64 




154 


65 




156 

157 


66 




158 
159 
160 
161 




Reserve T. 


67 




162 
163 




Reserve U. 


68 




164 
165 


69 




166 
167 


70 




168 
169 


71 




170 
171 
172 
173 


72 




174 
175 


72, 




176 
177 


74 




178 
179 


75 




180 
181 


76 




182 
183 
184 


77 




185 
186 
187 
1S8 




Reserve V. 


78 




189 
190 




Reserve W. 


79 




191 
192 

1^3 
194 


80 




195 
196 


81 




197 
198 



Quantity 
of Land 
Names to Each 

Pueek. 40 

Leboutellier, Michel, 480 

Plantevigne, 160 

Moncravie, Jacques, 240 

Bringier 240 

Monot, Charles, 160 

Cluis. T. Jerome, 480 

Ruffier, Ferdinand, 160 

Garnier, frere, 480 

Simon, 160 

Terrier, R. A., 240 

Macre, Jean M., 120 

Dumas. Antoine, 120 

Dalmazeau, J., 120 

St. David, 40 

Foutanges, P. F., 480 

Godan, Victoire, (N), 120 

Blancon and Taverly, 40 

Belair, Louis, ' 480 

Sagnier, Henri Antoine, 160 

Lallemand, General Charles, 480 

Valcourt, Aime, 160 

Clausel, General Bertrand, 480 

Blaquerolle, 160 

Sar}-, Jean AI. Alex., 160 

Gatly, Antoine, 160 

Ilari, Benoit 160 

Millon, Solidor, 160 

Ducommun, Joseph, 480 

Genin, Charles Franc, 160 

Colonel Charassin, 320 

Vasques, Jean, 320 

Roland, Jean Francois, 320 

Pichon, Claude Charles, 320 

Clareton. Joseph Louis, 480 

Grillet, Francois, 160 

Texier, Jean 240 

Martinet, Pierre Louis, 240 

Vitalba, Jean Baptiste, 160 

Jogan, Antonin, 240 

Cavoroc, Charles, 120 

Brugiere, Charles, 120 

Chapon, 120 

Make, 40 

Dubarry. John 480 

Salaignac, Louis, 120 

Lebrusse, 40 

Descourt. Leonard Alex., 240 

Onfray, Jean Baptiste 120 

Pochard, Aug. Francois, 120 

Fux, Louis, 160 

Colonel Raoul, 320 

Neel, J. B., 160 

Gilbert, 160 

Seveligne 480 

Mane, 160 







Nos. or 


Nos. 


of 


Marks of 


Sections 


the Land 


82 




199 
200 
201 
202 


83 




203 
204 
205 
206 




Reserve X. 


84 




207 
208 


85 




209 
210 


86 




211 
212 
213 


87 




214 
215 


88 




216 
217 


89 




218 
219 
220 
221 
222 


90 




223 

224 


91 




225 
226 




Re 


serve Y. 


92 




227 
228 
229 




Re 


serve Z. 


93 




230 
231 
232 


94 




233 

234 


95 




235 
236 

237 
238 


96 




239 

240 


97 




241 
242 


98 




243 
244 


99 




245 
246 


100 




247 
248 


lOI 




249 
250 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 337 

Quantity 

of Laud 

Names to Each 

Richard, George, 160 

Nardel, Francois, 160 

Chauvot, Charles, 160 

Pladaut, Francois, 160 

Bono, Charles, 240 

Tasche, 120 

Blanden, Jean, 120 

Azan, 120 

Devengen, 40 

Victoire, Delaunaj' Jos., 480 

Castan, Etienne, 160 

Lefrancois. freres 480 

Groning, 160 

Pothier, Simon 240 

Shubart, Henry, 240 

Fisher, 120 

Soulas, 40 

Beylle, Joseph 480 

Malozcwsky, Constant Paul, 160 

Teterel, Francois, 480 

Pagniere 160 

Bubosq 120 

George, fils. aine, Edward, 120 

Lesueur, 120 

Dor, 120 

Maillet, Henry Pre. A. As., 160 

Stallenwereck, freres, 480 

Vallot, Joseph, 120 

Matthieu, Dr. Joseph, 480 

Allain, Joseph 120 

Mayer, 40 

Jeandrau, Jean 240 

Carlebaux, Guillaume 240 

Buttand 120 

Constantin and Dechoule, 40 

Colonel Taillade, 320 

Olivieri. Joseph 160 

Luciani, Pascal 160 

Mai, Grouchy 480 

Deschamps, Francois Me 160 

Baumier, Cesar, 160 

Barbe, Antoine, 160 

Stribaud, Charles 160 

Decorme, Charles 160 

Chandron, Edward, 480 

Gilbal, Antoine 160 

Martin Prosper 480 

Desplan, Samuel 160 

Melizet. Francois, 480 

Carso, Francois 160 

Hamel. Victor 480 

Havard 160 

Peniere. pere, J. A., 480 

Fauchon, Hoe, 160 

Lecoq du Marcelay 480 

Godat, 120 



338 



Alabama Historical Society 



Nos. or 
Nos. of Marks of 
Sections the Land 



102 
103 
104 

105 
106 
107 

108 

109 
110 
III 

112 
113 

114 

115 
116 

117 
118 
119 



Reserve AA. 

251 
252 

253 
254 
255 
256 
257 
258 

259 
260 
261 
262 
263 
264 
265 
266 
267 
268 
269 
270 
271 
272 
273 
274 
275 
276 
277 
Reserve BB. 
278 

279 

280 
Reserve CC. 

281 

282 

283 

284 

285 

286 

287 
Reserve DD. 

288 

289 

290 

291 

292 

293 
Reserve EE. 

294 

295 
296 
297 
298 
299 
300 
301 



Quantity 

of Land 

Names to Each 

Morin, 40 

Defourni, Col. Fabius 320 

Guillot, 320 

Badaraque, Thomas, 480 

Conte, Marius 160 

Desfouch, Charles, 160 

Pascal, Paul, 160 

Fouasche, Pierre, 160 

Bernard, Henrj-, 160 

Rapin, Joseph 480 

Contardi, Lewis, 160 

St. Guiron, Jeune 480 

Demony, Dominique Victor, 160 

Ravesies, E., 240 

Fournier, Honore 240 

Farcy, 160 

Champenois, P. ]., 240 

Savary, Joseph 240 

Belmere, pere. and fils 160 

Gen. Lallemand, Hy. 480 

Prompt, 160 

Bayal, Honore, 480 

Duriere, Francois, 160 

Conde, Charles, 240 

Conde, 240 

Laurent, Maurice, 160 

Chaudron, Simon 480 

Boilandry, Eugenie 120 

Darembert, 40 

Amaud, Camille, 240 

Deprest, Rene, frere and Zach 240 

Batre, Charles, 120 

Lagay, 40 

Belange, Mai. Denis, 320 

Chasserian, Benoit 320 

Real, Pierre Francois 480 

Penazi, Louis, 160 

Bujac, Mathew and Alfd, freres 240 

Germond and Riviere, 240 

Guybert, H'y, 120 

Payen, freres, 40 

Ducoing, Pr^e, 480 

Stephens, Samuel J., 160 

Fourestier, Elie 480 

Gregoire, Etienne 160 

Manf redi, Math. Ferd., 160 

Dupont, 96 

Hurtel, J.. 384 

Lefebvre, Gen. Desnouettes 480 

Desroures, 160 

Jeannet, George, 480 

Jeannet, Je, 160 

Dumenil, 240 

Ducommun, Joseph, 120 

Parat, F. Romain, 120 

Burgues, Jn. Bernard 120 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 



339 







Nos. or 


NO! 


i. of 


Marks of 


Secli 


ions 


the Land 




Reserve FF. 


123 




302 
303 
304 


124 




305 
306 




Reserve GG. 


125 




307 
308 


Reserve HH. 


126 




309 
310 
311 


127 




312 
313 


128 




314 
315 




Reserve II. 


129 




316 
317 


130 




318 
319 


131 




320 
321 


132 




322 


U3 




324 
323 
326 
327 


134 




328 
329 
330 
331 




Reserve JJ. 


135 




332 
333 
334 
335 


Reserve KK. 


136 




336 

337 


137 




338 
339 
340 


13B 




341 
342 
343 


139 




344 
345 



Quantity 
of Land 
Names to Each 

Cuchet, 40 

Ve, Demerest, 240 

Boulon, E., 240 

Lapeyre, Jn. Bte, 160 

Thouron, pere and fils, 480 

Larau, Sully, 12c 

Janin, 40 

Bonno, J., 480 

Landerin, Francois 120 

Bonneau, 40 

Legrix, Bellisle, 240 

Legras, 240 

BuUiard, Etienne, 160 

Follin, George, 480 

Fauquier, 160 

Emery and Duteste 480 

Vogeslang, Daniel, 120 

Chapotin, 40 

Haez 120 

Prudhomme, 120 

Morel, 240 

Murrat, Jean Baptiste, 160 

Mestayer, Michel 480 

Rieger, Gabriel V 160 

Parmentier, Nicholas Sim 480 

Bauzan, Pierre, 160 

Villemont, 240 

Guilleault, 180 

Quepart, 60 

Verrier, 60 

Fisher, 160 

Dufourg, Jean Jacques, 240 

Dufourg, D. v., 120 

Dufourg, F., 120 

Lacloix, Rene Francois, 160 

St. Guiron, Pre Pascal, aine, 240 

Farrouilh, A., 120 

St. Felix, Jean R., 120 

Decave, Marc Lewis 120 

Rapin, 40 

Barbarroux, Joseph 240 

Cirode, William, 120 

Shoeun, Sebastian 120 

Gouiran, Joseph Michel, 120 

Allouard and Achard, 40 

Lajonie, 480 

Truck, 160 

Colona, Dornano B., 320 

Peraldi, Toussaint, 160 

Scasso, Vincent, 160 

Laroderie, Alphonso, 240 

Savournin, Joseph 240 

Balbuena, Joseph, 160 

Canonge, Pierre August, 480 

Lucien, 160 



340 Alabama Historical Society. 

Nos. or Quantity 

Nos. of Marks oi of I<and 

Sections the I^and Names to Each 

140 346 Vaugine, 240 

Bogy, 240 

347 Torta, Jean, 160 

The colony's severest blow came in the discovery that the loca- 
tion of Demopolis was not included in the townships set apart 
for them by the contract entered into between the secretary of the 
treasury and the ag^ent of the association. The improvements 
made by the exiles were upon land which did not belong to them. 
The land had been alloted by the association in Philadelphia, ir- 
respective of the claimants; and they were compelled to leave 
their improvements and begin anew further in the depths of the 
forest.-- General Charles Lefebvre Desnouettes, who seems to 
have been the acknowledged leader of the colony, made a journey 
to Philadelphia in behalf of the settlers. He very unfortunately 
could do nothing for his friends, although he secured his own 
tract and improvements. Upon his return he regretfully saw 
them abandon the lots upon which they had spent much labor, and 
begin clearing and building in new parts of the wilderness.-^ 
They laid out another town about a mile east of the White Blufif, 
which they called Aigleville in token of their love for Napoleon's 
standard which bore the eagle perched upon its summit. Later it 
was found that many of the emigrants had settled on land that 
was not allotted to them individually by the association in Phila- 
delphia. They were, therefore, compelled again to leave their hard 
earned comforts. It seemed that no matter how far they went 
into the forest, some trick of fate compelled them to give up their 
rough-hewn homes and commence again the Avork of clearing and 
preparing new land for cultivation. But in spite of all these vicis- 
situdes, the grantees who remained strove earnestly to stand up 
to their part of the contract. Each time they were compelled to 
move, they went to work with wonderful zeal to prepare the land 
for the cultivation of the vine and olive. They finally became set- 
tled on the land allotted to them and made many attempts," Vv'hich 
were fruitless, to grow the grape. 

The country in which they settled had until within the last few 



•^ Pickett's History of Alabama. 

^ Miss Lyon's "Bonapartists in Alabama." 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 341 

years been a part of the land held by the Creek Indians. It was 
covered by virgin forests and luxuriant growth of cane, broken 
here and there by stretches of open prairie. These lands, which 
are now the garden spot of Alabama agriculture, were then a 
wilderness so thickly overgrown with cane of various kinds that it 
was almost impassable.^* There were no roads traversing it and 
scarcely could a path made by the deer or the savage, be found 
leading through the dense jungle, which covered what are now 
the richest plantations in west Alabama. In this wild, level, 
"canebrake" region there were few springs and water was very 
hard to find after a little distance had been put between the trav- 
eler and the river. The exiles could not move far into this region 
for lack of water and the means by which to transport goods to 
their huts.^° As they were unable to continue their labors un- 
aided, and had no slaves of their own, a number of German re- 
demptioners were imported through the enterprising and gener- 
ous Desnouettes. But these people proved more of a burden and 
expense than an assistance, for they disregarded entirely the obli- 
gations of their contract. 

Pioneers less suited by nature and training for subduing 
the forest and overcoming the trials of frontier life could 
not have been found, and never were stronger hands and 
stouter hearts needed in any undertaking than in this coun- 
try, then barely known to civilized man. Among other trials 
the refugees were repeatedly stricken with sickness. The lands 
which they settled were often overflowed two or three times a 
year by the rivers, and the stagnant pools left by the receding 
water caused malarial fever, from which many of the exiles died. 
Un an old map of Demopolis are seen two crosses which mark the 
graveyards where rest the remains of many of this brave and 
sturdy band. 

Their nearest neighbors were the Choctaw Indians, who pos- 
sessed the land lying west of the Tombigby river. This was a 
war-like, brave and honest tribe. They were honest in paying 
their debts and sturdy in their protection of their white friends. 
Their chief, Pushmataha, was magnificently developed both men- 
tally and physically and was an orator of some genius. He was 

^* Prof. McCorvey's "Vine and Olive Colony." 
" Conversations with old settlers of Demopolis. 



342 Alabama Historical Society. 

known far and wide as the white man's friend, and kept his tribe 
on friendly terms with the emigrants, whom they helped greatly 
by teaching them how to clear and work their land."® They 
learned very readily anything the white man would teach them. 
Later came the unprincipled American squatters. They were a 
great source of annoyance to the hard-working Frenchmen, whom 
they harrassed no little by taking possession of their lands with- 
out the least shadow of a title and declaring that they did not ex- 
pect to give them up under any conditions. Such occurrences 
brought on lawsuits. In every instance the court decided in 
favor of the grantees. In many cases, however, the Frenchmen, 
worn out by troubles with the squatters, sold their lands for a 
very small part of their real value.-^ 

Their homes are described by William L. Adams, agent of the 
treasury department, in a report to the secretary of the treas- 
ury thus : 

"The owner or some one on his or her account, built on the 
allotment a log cabin of a common height for such kind of build- 
ings, hewed down inside and out, covered with a good board or 
shingle roof, laid with a plank or puncheon floor, with a log chim- 
ney, and made quite comfortable for a building of the cabin kind. 
The smallest size cabin which I examined was i6 by i8 feet on the 
inside; and the largest, 19 by 23 feet. Every building had en- 
closed about it from one to five acres of land, and cost the owner 
from 85 to 150 dollars, varying in price according to the size of 
tlie cabin and the quantity of land cleared and enclosed."-^ 

One can scarcely imagine the discomforts which the settlers, 
who had been accustomed all of their lives to live in luxury, had 
to suffer in these pioneer homes. Their ignorance concerning 
the commonest domestic affairs was most pitiable. The clothes 
they wore during their daily tasks were very unsuitable garments 
in which to work. Women dressed in silk gowns and satin slip- 
pers, which they had worn at court balls, were seen dropping corn 
or wading out in the mud to milk the cows ; and the men plough- 
ed, ditched and cleared land while dressed in their richest uni- 
forms. ^^ 

"• Notes taken by Mrs. W. A. Gayle during a conversation with Judge 
William E. Clarke. 
" Pickett's History of Alabama. 
** American State Papers, vol. v. 
*' Conversations with old settlers of Demopolis. 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 343 

But in spite of all their trials the French refugees were happy 
and their native gayety prevailed. They brought with them many 
ornaments, books, musical instruments, and even their fine china, 
glass and silverware, the latter often the present of royal friends. 
Among them was always seen the gay grace and social culture 
for which Paris is so famous. Although the days were filled with 
trials, yet, when night came on the day's troubles were forgotten 
and all was given up to pleasure. Beautifully attired ladies ac- 
companied by gallant gentlemen might be seen going in and out 
of the rough cabins, where music and dancing were enjoyed by 
all. As long as they had money they were determined to enjoy 
life. Their tables were loaded with luxuries and on festive oc- 
casions their boards flowed with the richest wines, long before 
a grape had been planted on the grant. Their tables were sup- 
plied with all kinds of game from the surrounding forest, where 
it could easily be procured with little skill, and with many varie- 
ties of vegetables which in season the rich garden spots brought 
forth in abundant supplies. Along with these things they often 
had large supplies of wines and other luxuries sent them by 
friends at home. Upon the arrival of these gifts from France, 
the town always put on the appearance of a minute French vil- 
lage, and the pastimes engaged in did not comport with the self- 
denial and hardships necessary for success in settling a wilder- 
ness ; but it must be remembered that pioneers of this class are 
very seldom found, and it could hardly be expected that men and 
women, who had been reared and taught in the fashionable courts 
cf France, would be able readily to abandon their former customs 
for the uneventful routine of farm life.^** 

The exiles made a mistake in the location of their land for the 
vines and olive trees which they planted were total failures. If 
the grant, which lay in the prairie region of Marengo and Hale 
counties, had been located about twenty-five or thirty miles far- 
ther north towards the hills of Hale, the vineyards, at least, might 
have been a success. Yet they could not know this country of 
great forests as it is known to-day, nor be able to tell that about 
thirty miles to the north of their settlement, where they tried 
to grow the grape, was land which Nature had covered with ex- 
tensive wild vineyards. The land was new and it took many years 

** Prof. McCorvey's "Vine and Olive Colony." 



344 Alabama Historical Society. 

of hard labor to get it into a condition suitable for productive cul- 
tivation."^ 

Besides the trials of continually having to leave their clearing 
and improvements, and the encroachment of the squatters, there 
was trouble ai Washington and Philadelphia. The government 
had been misled, no doubt by designing persons, and made to 
believe that the colony was founded merely as a speculation on the 
part of the leaders.^- As early as December 14, 1818, the sec- 
retary of the treasury in a communication to the house of rep- 
resentatives, states that many of the grantees had transferred their 
allotments and followed the French generals, who were attempt- 
ing to make a settlement on the Trinity river, in Texas ; or had 
engaged in occupations which prevented them from complying 
with the requirements of the contract. ^^ It is true that General 
Henry L'AUemand and a small band of French exiles seized a 
tract of land in Texas and tried to form a colony,^* but the greater 

" Miss Martha Young. 

"' As a sample of the accusations made in the press and otherwise, the 
following extracts from Nilcs' Register. Aug. 8, 1818, will serve : 

"Among the splendid fooleries which have at times amused a portion 
of the American people, as well as their representatives in congress, was 
that of granting, on most favorable terms to certain emigrants from France, 
a large tract of land in the Alabama territory, to encourage the cultiva- 
tion of the vine and olive, passed the 3rd of March, 1817. 

"This tract contains 92,000 acres, and was sold at $2 per acre, payable 
without interest, in 14 years — in truth, much better than a mere gratuity 
of so much land considering the license of selection, and which could not, 
at this time, probably be purchased of the proprietors for less than two 
millions of dollars. What was honestly intended as a common benefit to 
a number of unfortunate persons, is understood to have immediately cen- 
tered, like banking, into the benefit of a few; and I am told that one man's 
gain by this speculation are estimated at from 500,000 to a million of dol- 
lars." 

"It was the abuse of the Alabama grant that caused the rejection of the 
petition of the Irish emigrant associations for the laying off of a tract 
of land in the Illinois, though everybody felt satisfied that their design was 
an honest one." 

"By way, however, I very much question the policy of any act of gov- 
ernment that has a tendency to introduce and keep up amongst us a for- 
eign national language or dialect, manners or character, as every large and 
compact settlement of emigrants from any particular country, must neces- 
sarily occasion." 

^^ Prof. McCorvey's "Vine and Olive Colony."' 

'^ The following taken from Niles' Register, .A.ugust 8, 1818, and written 
by one of the band, shows their intentions in forming the colony. 

"Champ D'Azile, province of Texas, May 11, 1818. 

"Reunited by a series of the same calamities which have torn us from 
our homes, and scattered us in different countries, we have resolved to 
seek an asylum, where we may be able to recall our misfortunes, and that 
we may draw from them useful lessons. 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 345 

part of the emigrants were opposed to this proceeding, and strove 
to carry out their part of the contract. They were charged with 
having converted what was intended as a common benefit to a 
number of unfortunate persons into a benefit for a few scheming 
leaders. 

Another element of the earliest settlers of the French grant, 
whose history is very little known, is a band of West India ref- 
ugees. These French were living in San Domingo at the time 
of the great negro insurrection which drove the whites from the 
island. Many of the French were murdered in the insurrection, 
but a few escaping to the coast sailed for America and ultimately 
reached Philadelphia, where they were living at the time the grant 
was made for the cultivation of the vine and olive. Some of them 
were determined to cast their lot with the Tombeckbee Associa- 
tion. They did not come to' Alabama v/ith the first settlers, but 
joined them in the year 1820. Among those of the West India 

"A vast country presents itself to us : a country abandoned by civilized 
man, where is only to be seen, some points occupied, or traversed by 
Indian tribes, who contented with the chase leave without cultivation a 
territory as fertile as extended. In the adversity of which we boast, far 
from humbling our spirit, we exercise the first right granted to man, by 
the author of nature, in establishing ourselves in this land, to fertilize it 
by our labors, and to demand from it the products which it never refuses 
to perseverence. 

"We attack no one, we have no hostile intentions. We ask peace and 
friendship from all who surround us ; and will be grateful for the kindness, 
which will be extended to us. We will respect the religion, the laws, the 
manners, and the usages of the civilized nations. We will respect the 
independence, the customs, the mode of life of the Indian nations, whom 
we will not restrain either in their hunting, or in any other point of their 
existence. 

"We will maintain with all those, to whom it will be expedient, social 
relations, and good neighborhood, as well as commercial pursuits. 

"Our deportment will be peaceful, active and laborious; we will be 
useful to the extent of our power ; and will render good for good. 

"But if it be possible that our situation be not respected, and that 
persecution may follow to the deserts where we have sought a retreat, 
we ask it of all reasonable men ; what defense would have ever been 
more legitimate than ours? It will be that of the most entire devotion. 
Our resolution is taken before hand. We have arms. The care of our 
preservation has imposed it upon us to furnish ourselves with them, as 
men in our situation always have done. The land, on which we have 
placed ourselves, will behold us prosper or die. There we will live honor- 
ably and free, or will find our tomb; and just men will grant a testimonial 
of esteem to our memory. But we have a right to look for a more happy 
result ; and our first care ought to be to merit the general assent in 
tracing the simple regulations, which will be a guarantee of our disposi- 
tions. 

"We will name the place, where our colony is situated, Champ D'Azile. 
23 



346 Alabama Historical Society. 

refugees who joined the colony in the canebrakes of Alabama, 
were the Stollenwerks, Martiners, Fourniers and Ravesies.'^ 

The company was entirely a corporation, as shown by the act 
of Congress making the grant, and in no manner allowed com- 
plet . individual ownership of land. The exiles were assigned 
certain tracts of land, which they were to cultivate, but were not 
allowed to hold deeds to the land until complete payment had been 
made for the entire four townships. However, on April 26, 1822, 
was approved "an act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act 
to set apart and dispose of certain Public Lands for the Encour- 
agement of the Cultivation of the Vine and Olive."^'' It is as 
follows : 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
That, whenever any individual or individuals, named in the 
contract entered into between the Secretary of the Treasury and 
Charles Villar, agent of the French Association, on the eighth 
day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and nine- 
teen, by virtue of the Act of Congress, entitled 'An Act to set 
apart and dispose of certain public lands for the encouragement 
of the cultivation of the vine and olive,' passed on the third day 
of March, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, or the heirs 
or devisees of such individual or individuals, shall have complied 
with the condition of settlement and cultivation, in said contract 
prescribed, in proportion to his or their interest, under said con- 
tract, and in the lands thereby set apart, and shall have paid the 
amount of purchase money, proportionate to his or their interest 

"This denomination, in recalling to us our reverses, will also recall the 
necessity of fixing our destiny; of setting up anew our household gods; 
in a word creating a new country. 

"The colony, essentially agricultural and commercial, will be military 
for its preservation. 

"It will be divided into cohorts: 

"Each cohort will have a chief, who will be required to keep a register 
of the persons who compose it, and to preserve it in order. 

"A general register formed from that of the cohorts, will be kept by 
the direction of the colony. 

"The cohorts will be collected in the same place, that they may be the 
better protected from insult ; and that each may live tranquilly under the 
protection of all. 

"A colonial code shall forthwith be made, to guarantee safety and prop- 
erty, to prevent and repress wrongs; to secure the peace of just men, to 
curb the evil intentions of the wicked." 

'''These statements are based on a conversation with Mrs. Bayal, one 
of the settlers of Demopolis. 

'* U. S. Statutes at Large, vol. iii, p. 667. 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 347 

in said land, within the particular periods in the said contract lim- 
ited, it shall and may be lawful for the Secretary of the Treas- 
ury, and he is hereby required, to cause letters patent to be issued 
to such individual or individuals, or his or their heirs or devisees, 
for the amount of his or their interest in the lands set apart and 
contracted for by virtue of the said act, anything in the said act 
or contract contained to the contrary notwithstanding: saving, 
always, to the widow of any such deceased proprietor her right 
of dower in said lands, according to the laws of the State of Ala- 
bama. 

Thus was set aside the principal object of the grant which was 
"not that a small number of tracts of land should be cultivated in 
vines and olives, but that the whole tract should be settled by per- 
sons understanding the culture of those plants." 

The government kept in touch with the colony through the 
agent of the association, who was required by the contract to 
send in an annual report. There was also an agent appointed by 
the treasury department. A report by Charles Villar, dated 
Aigleville, December, 12, 1821, thus states the progress of the col- 
ony :^" 

"In spite of our enemies, we have done more work than could 
be reasonably expected, considering the many losses that we have 
sustained to repair the spot, and, after the beginning of our set- 
tlements, the want of communication in a rough and hardly ex- 
plored country, the greater part of which has been overflowed 
nine months of this year, and the sickness which has visited us, 
and deprived yet many families of their hands. Nevertheless, we 
may assure your excellency that between 81 actual planters for 
themselves or their commetans (23 being dead), forming 327 per- 
sons, we may present to the government 1,1 CXD acres in full culti- 
vation with their own hands, and 1,500 acres of land cultivated 
by lease. By anticipation we have 10,000 plants of vine in full 
growth ; and that number had been treble had it not been for the 
loss of so much by accidents at sea, or out of season. As every 
planter now present in this State has made all possible exertions 
to answer fully to the expectations of the government, it would 
be very easy for me to prove substantially to your excellency that, 
from the time we left our homes till this day, we have, by an aver- 
age, spent more than $160,000. What better badge of our inten- 
tion to fulfill the conditions of the contract?" 

The following taken from a report of Mr. William L. Adams, 
agent of the treasury department, dated February, 1827, shows 

"''American State Papers, vol. iii. 



348 Alabama Historical Society. 

how much work was done towards the cultivation of the vine, 
olive, etc. : 

"From my own examination, and the best information I could 
obtain, there are seven thousand four hundred and fourteen acres 
cultivated in vine, corn, cotton, small grain, etc. The quantity 
of land planted and cultivated in vine within the four townships 
granted is two hundred and seventy-one and one-half acres, and 
the manner of planting the vine is by putting the vines ten feet 
apart in one direction and twenty the other, and fastening the 
vine to a stake put in the ground for that purpose, of a size and 
height to suit the vine. The plantings are in their cotton fields, 
and are cultivated in the same manner as their cotton is. The 
number of olive trees planted within the four townships granted 
has been three hundred and eighty-eight, some of them about six 
years ago, and the latest three years since. Two hundred trees 
were imported, and perished on the way, and twenty-five thou- 
sand seed have been planted. The tree perishes with every win- 
ter's frost, but puts up fresh shoots in the spring, which also per- 
ish with the succeeding W'inter's frost ; and I feel confident in 
the belief that the tree wall not succeed in this climate." 

Mr. Frederic Ravesies, "agent of the Tombeckbee Association," 
in a letter to the secretary of the treasury, dated Aigleville, 
February 27, 1827, thus gives some of the reasons why the con- 
ditions of the contract were not carried out.^* 

"It will be recollected that the members of our association were 
chiefly composed of officers and merchants, possessing an extreme- 
ly limited knowledge of either the science or practice of agricul- 
ture ; that the region of country to which they were to remove 
was a perfect wilderness ; and, under circumstances like these, 
it is to be expected that very many unforeseen and unexpected 
difficulties would present themselves ; and as the common neces- 
saries and means of support must be obtained before an en- 
trance could be made upon the principal object of the association 
(the culture of the vine), we have, in many instances, been 
obliged to neglect the performance of our contract, and yield to 
the more immediate and pressing demands upon our industry for 
a bare competency and support. Many of the grantees, unfort- 
unately for themselves, came prematurely to their lands, they 
came to the trackless desert or country, almost impervious to the 
approach of man, without a road or passway ; consequently, the 
means of transportation to their particular allotments of land 
was so impracticable and expensive that many persons upon their 
arrival were compelled to settle, temporarily, on their small allot- 

^'^ American State Papers, vol. iii. 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 349 

ments around the town of Aigleville, where their funds were ex- 
hausted and they became unable to make a second settlement upon 
their large allotment. The surveyor's report of these lands wdl 
exhibit the difficulty of passing through the country, their notes 
showing that for many days they could not proceed more than 
2 or 3 miles per day. 
^, "Many of us were obliged to pay as much as four or five dol- 
lars per bushel for corn, and a proportionate price for many 
other articles of provisions, which prices were very frequently 
doubled by the difficulties of transportation to their residences. 
40 or 50 dollars have often been paid for a cow and calf, which 
can now be purchased for 8 or 10 dollars. Thus commenced our 
settlement ; and possessing little knowledge of agriculture, 
strangers to the language, the manners, and habits of the people 
of this country, we have been greatly retarded from making that 
rapid progress which, perhaps, the citizens of the United States 
would have made. 

'"In addition to those natural difficulties under which we la- 
bored, we had other and more serious ones to encounter ; for upon 
almost all that part of our grant which was the easiest to settle 
and cultivate, the squatter, who is the pioneer of all new countries, 
had fixed himself. He, just having experienced the difficulties of 
settling a new country, at once became hostile to our claims, and 
sternly refused possession to the grantees, in some instances de- 
nying the right of the emigrants, and in many others threatening 
the most violent and determined vengeance upon any person who 
would interfere with his settlement. From these circumstances 
many were deterred coming to their lands and in many instances 
those difficulties exist until this day, there having been as yet but 
one decision upon the subject, which was in 1825, which judged 
to the grantee the right of possession and entry, but many con- 
tinue wrongfully to hold our lands, and refuse possession. 

"Again, many of the allotments, from their natural locality, 
being within the prairie country, admit of no settlement, on ac- 
count of the impracticability of procuring water, many having 
dug to a great depth unsuccessfully ; these still remain unsettled 
and unimproved. I further will remark that for several years the 
colony was remarkably unhealthy, scarcely a family escaped sick- 
ness, and many of the grantees died. These, sir, are some of the 
reasons why failures have occurred in regard to the conditions 
of settlement, etc. You will now permit me to mention some of 
the causes which have produced the failure in the condition rela- 
tive to the vine ; and here some of the same reasons present 
themselves that have been previously stated — the necessity of 
first acquiring the means of subsistence ; the difficulty and length 
of time required in preparing and clearing land for that, that the 
7 years had nearly elapsed before this was accomplished ; yet 



350 Alabama Historical Society. 

very early importations of the vine were made long before the 
time necessary for planting them. But a large quantity of those 
first imported arrived out of season ; and when we consider the 
lateness of the season in Europe when the cutting must be taken, 
and the early time at which they must be planted here, it will be 
seen that any delay in the arrival of vessels must prove fatal to 
the vines, and they will arrive out of due season. Many more 
vines have been shipped in due time, and had they all safely ar- 
rived, those would have been more than requisite to comply with 
the condition of the contract, upon all of the allotments, by the 
time required. All that have arrived alive have been carefully 
planted, and none wasted ; as evidence of which they sold at first 
for 25 cts. a piece, then twelve and a half, and the last year at 
six and a quarter cents. A great number died after planting, 
owing as we believe to the newness of the soil on which we were 
obliged to plant. The vine requires old land which we have not ; 
and at first, not knowing the cause, the result was discouraging. 
Those planted in older soils grew better, and are not so apt to 
die. Again, many kinds of the vine have been imported which 
do not succeed in this country, and it is but very lately that we are 
enabled, in some degree, to ascertain the quality and kind of vine 
best adapted to this climate. At this time the great question 
seems to be the proper mode of cultivation, and, instead of seven, 
perhaps seventy years may be required to ascertain this fact. 
This will be readily conceded when it is known that in France, in 
rrr.ny places, the mode of cultivation is radically different on op- 
posite sides of the same river or mountain, and on farms differ- 
ently situated in the same country. Your excellency is well aware 
how many years, nay centuries, Europe has required to obtain 
this experience and perfection. We can assert that from our own 
experience, seven years are not sufficient to enable us to cultivate 
the vine successfully in an old country, and much more so in a 
wilderness." 

As late as the year 1828 some of the grantees were striving to 
cultivate the vine. In a letter of Frederick Ravesies to the treas- 
ury department, dated January 18, 1828, is the following: "We 
have suffered severely from the unparalleled drought of the last 
summer; many of our largest and finest looking vines, which 
had just commenced bearing luxuriantly, were totally killed by 
the dry hot weather. Yet, notwithstanding this misfortune, the 
grantees, with increased diligence, are using every exertion to pro- 
cure others which are thought to be more congenial to the soil 
and climates, and are now generally engaged in replanting."** 

^ American State Papers, vol. iii. 



French Grant in Alabama. — WhitHeld. 351 

Although the tone of these reports was always hopeful, yet the 
grantees found themselves contending with difficulties which 
could not be overcome. The vine and olive had both proven to- 
tally unsuited to the soil and climate. Eyed with suspicion by the 
government, harrassed by squatters, their situation unknown to 
the association in Philadelphia, it was impossible for them to 
continue their undertaking. In spite of their many efforts to 
make the cultivation of the vine and olive a success, the forces 
which had been at work were rapidly causing the destruction of 
the colony. The wealthiest and most prominent of the exiles 
began one by one to seek more peaceful homes in the neighboring 
cities, or to return to Europe. Many, mindful of the kindness 
they had received, sought homes in Mobile ; while many of the 
chief men were allowed by the Bourbons to return to France and 
again take their places among the leaders, both in military and 
civil affairs. After the leaders had left, many of the others were 
not slow to follow their example ; for as soon as they could raise 
a sufficient amount by disposing of their grant and other property, 
they sought other places of abode, and before many years the 
grant ceased to be distinctly French. There were some who re- 
mained on their grants, but they were soon swallowed up by the 
great tide of American emigrants who sought the fertile lands of 
the "black belt" of Alabama. 

It is true that this association, organized to cultivate the vine 
and olive in Alabama, had but a very brief existence, yet there 
are names found in Marengo and the adjoining counties, which 
serve constantly to remind us of the little band of Bonapartists 
who settled on the White Bluff. To-day, one can find no evi- 
dence in the typically Southern town of Demopolis, which will 
show that it was once the abode of a band of Napoleon's heartiest 
supporters. Yet the talents and virtues of the colonists and their 
descendants have made a lasting impression, for Alabama boasts 
of no names more honorable than those borne by the descendants 
of the original shareholders in the French grant in Alabama. 

There were many distinguished characters among this band 
of emigrants. The most noted of these, perhaps, was General 
Lefebvre-Desnouettes, who was born in 1773. He was an aid- 
de-camp to Bonaparte at Marengo and for his gallantry at Auster- 
litz was made commandant of the Legion of Honor. He shared 



352 Alabama Historical Society. 

Napoleon's carriage in the disastrous retreat from Moscow. In 
the battle of Saragossa he commanded a division and was cap- 
tured in Soult's pursuit of Sir John Moore to Corunna. He was 
conspicuous in the victory of Bautzen and received a wound m a 
charge at Brienne. Napoleon made him count of the empire 
and lieutenant-general upon his return from Elba and he took 
part in the battle of Waterloo. Upon Napoleon's departure for 
Elba in bidding farewell to his soldiers at Fontainebleue he em- 
braced Desnouettes in behalf of them all. In his will the Em- 
peror bequeathed him 150,000 francs. He was marked for one 
of the victims of Bourbon hate, and in May, 1816, was con- 
demned to death, without trial, by the first court martial of the 
second division, but in the meantime he had escaped to the United 
States. He was vivacious and active, handsome in person and 
graceful in carriage and one of the best riders of his age. He 
was very wealthy and spent his fortune liberally for the benefit 
of the colony. Near his main dwelling was a small cabin which 
he called his sanctuary, in the center of it stood a very handsome 
bronze statue of Napoleon, and the walls of the room were hung 
with flags, swords, pistols, and other trophies of war. His wife, 
the sister of the celebrated banker La Fitte, often sent him large 
sums of money from France, and it was through her negotiations 
and the influence of her family that the government at last gave 
him permission to reside in Belgium. He left his grant in 1823 
and sailed in the ship Albion, which was wrecked oflf the coast 
of Ireland. The distinguished refugee was washed overboard 
and found a watery grave.*'* 

Nicholas Raoul, another distinguished settler, accompanied 
Napoleon in his banishment to Elba and led his advance guard of 
two hvmdred grenadiers upon his return march to Paris. He was 
a colonel under Bonaparte and an officer of great merit. At the 
time of his stay in Alabama he was in the prime of life. He was 
a large, fine looking man, his air and bearing being decidedly mili- 
tary, energetic in speech and action and quick to resent the slight- 
est insult. He dwelt upon his grant for several years, but be- 
coming much reduced in circumstances, was forced to keep a 
ferry across French creek, three miles east of Demopolis. His 

*" Pickett's History of /Alabama, Brewer's Alabama, and Prof. McCorvey's 
"Vine and Olive Colony" are my chief sources of information for these 
sketches of the most prominent men. 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 353 

wife, a handsome woman of the Itahan style of beauty, and a na- 
tive of Naples, had been Marchioness of Sinabaldi, and maid of 
honoF to Queen Caroline. Her two children by a former hus- 
band came to this country with her. Travelers passing over the 
creek often wondered what manner of people these were who 
kept the ferry. In 1824, Colonel Raoul and his wife went to 
Mexico, where the colonel took part in the revolution. At length 
returning to France he obtained a commission of general in the 
French army and held other important positions in the service of 
his country, among which was governor of Toulon. 

Jean A. Penniers was a member of the National Assembly and 
voted for the execution of Louis XVI. He remained about De- 
mopolis for a few years engaged in agriculture, but having pro- 
cured an appointment as sub-agent to the Seminoles, moved to 
Florida where he died in 1823. He had been distinguished in 
France and honored with many civil appointments and was at 
last expatriated for his adherence to the fortunes of Bonaparte. 

J. Jerome Cluis, another of the refugees, cultivated his grant 
near Greensboro. He had been an aid to Marshal Lefebre, the 
Duke of Rivigo, who later becam.e the head of the police depart- 
ment of Paris. Colonel Cluis was then his secretary. When 
Napoleon had Ferdinand VH, king of Spain, imprisoned near the 
Spanish frontier, Cluis was appointed to keep him in custody. 
Like many of the refugees he found that he could accomplish 
nothing by planting the vine and olive in Alabama. Having be- 
come reduced in circumstances he kept a tavern in Greensboro. 
After some years he left his tavern and moved to Mobile where he 
spent his last days. 

Simon Chaudron, "the blind poet of the canebrake," was an- 
other of the settlers. He formerly resided in Philadelphia, where 
his house was a center of elegance and wit. He was a poet and 
scholar of repute, and had been editor of the "Abeille Ameri- 
caine." The eulogy, which he delivered before the grand lodge 
of Philadelphia upon the life and character of Washington was 
pronounced a fine effort both in Europe and America. He lived 
about Demopolis for a few years but finally moved to Mobile 
where he died in 1846 at a very advanced age. He left behind 
him many very interesting works which were published in 
France. 



354 Alabama Historical Society. 

General Count Bertrand Clausel, an oflficer of merit through- 
out Napoleon's campaigns, had command at Bordeaux during 
the Hundred Days. Having made the Duchess of Angouleme 
prisoner, he released her for reasons which were never known. 
He did not occupy his grant on the Tombigby but in 1821 settled 
on the bay near Mobile, where he raised vegetables for the market 
and carted them into the city himself. In 1825 he was allowed to 
return to France and was made governor and marshal of Algeria 
by Louis Philippe. 

Henry L'AlIemand, who had been a lieutenant-general and com- 
manded the artillery of the imperial army, was an officer of great 
merit and a man of high ambition. General Charles L'Allemand, 
his brother was an officer of distinction in France and commanded 
Napoleon's foot artillery. They were both at Waterloo and gave 
proof of the greatest courage. Henry L'Allemand was filled with 
ambitious and daring projects which could not be satisfied in the 
colony on the Tombigby. He soon made a hazardous expedition 
to Texas, having collected his followers at Philadelphia and in 
Alabama. His band suffered greatly for want of provisions after 
arriving at Galveston Island but was generously relieved by the 
pirate La Fitte. Prostrated by sickness and annoyed by Indians, 
in a short time many of the colonists perished and the undertaking 
failed. 

Marshal Grouchy was one of the Philadelphia associates. He 
was a man of middle stature and his appearance showed very 
little of his military training. As his comrades could not stand 
his presence, on account of his conduct at Waterloo to which 
they imputed the loss of the day, he did not settle his grant in 
Alabama but sent his son Victor who had been a captain in the 
French army. The marshal, wishing to vindicate himself, became 
involved in controversies with the emigrants in the American 
papers. After some years of exile he was allowed to return to 
France and to enjoy honors under the Bourbons. 

M. Lakanal, a savant, was one of the members of the National 
Assembly and had voted for the death of Louis XVI. During 
the empire he had charge of the department of education ; a 
position where many honors were bestowed on him. He did not 
live on his grant but settled on the bay near Mobile in 18 19. 
After a long residence in Mobile he returned to France where he 
died in 1843. 



French Grant in Alabama. — Whitfield. 355 

Frederic Ravesies was a native of Bordeaux, Being Bourbons 
his family were compelled to flee upon the downfall of the mon- 
archy. His father took his family to San Domingo where he 
opened extensive plantations. His mother and sister were mur- 
dered in the insurrection, but he and his father escaped to Phila- 
delphia where his father soon died. Frederic rose very rapidly 
in business and held many positions of trust and was for a long 
time director of the Bank of Philadelphia. He first married 
Mary Roan and after her death he married Madame Adele Ger- 
trude Davide, widow of General Davide, one of Napoleon's fa- 
vorite generals. In 1820 he obtained the agency of the "Tom- 
beckbee Association." He lived on his grant for some years but 
finally moved to Mobile where he died in 1854 at the age of 
seventy-eight.*^ 

" From a sketch of his life written by Prof. J. W. Beeson in an article 
on Demopolis. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 497 536 4 



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